Plain language training

Throughout the year Victoria Law Foundation runs a series of workshops for lawyers, legal professionals, community workers and tertiary law school students who want to improve their communication skills.

Our goal is to share our knowledge and expertise broadly across the legal and community sectors – to build an army of people who can help us improve the legal information available to Victorians.

Plain Language Training Intensive

Who is this for?

For anyone who produces information about the law and legal system in Victoria, including lawyers and community legal education workers. This professional development activity may meet the CPD needs of lawyers. If this session does meet your CPD needs according to the Uniform CPD (Solicitors) Rules 2015 available from the LIV website. You may be able to claim 1 CPD unit for each hour of attendance (breaks not included).

What will you learn?

This popular all-day workshop delivered by Bob Milstein of Words and Beyond offers an overview of the principles of plain language and practical advice to ensure your writing is clear, engaging and easily understood by your intended audience.

Words and Beyond is recognised as a leading legal plain-language advocate and provider. The founder, Christopher Balmford is a past president of Clarity International – a worldwide group of lawyers and others campaigning for clear communication. Clear communication enhances the way you interact with readers, who might be members of the community, lawyers, tribunals, government or anyone.

Bob Milstein is a practising lawyer who has delivered training for Words and beyond since 2004. His interest in clear communications arose from his involvement in professional negligence litigation, where the poor quality of written communication often lay at the heart of the dispute.

Cost

In 2018/19, we will be asking those who register to pay a small fee to secure their place in the training. We will be charging the following fees:

Small not-for-profit (20 or less employees) - $40

Large not for profit (20 or more employees) - $60

For profit organisations - $80

Register your interest for upcoming sessions

Plain language training opportunities will be advertised throughout the year in our newsletter. You can book your spot at a session through the link in the newsletter.

These sessions are very popular and spaces are limited. Priority will be given to people from not-for-profit legal organisations involved in providing community legal information or education. Due to limited spaces available, up to two people per organisation may attend.

Student plain language training

We will no longer be delivering plain language training to law students at universities. We have a range of materials to help students with their writing and communication skills. If you want to know more about plain language, have a look at our Better Information Toolkit and plain language resources.

For more information on plain language training, contact our plain language team on (03) 9604 8100 or email.